Chew Chor Meng

Chew Chor Meng (born 20 November 1968), better known as Zhou Chuming, is a Singaporean actor.

Chew Chor Meng
Born
Chew Chor Meng

(1968-11-20) 20 November 1968
NationalitySingaporean
Alma materPei Chun Public School
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
Spouse(s)Deon Chew
Children2
AwardsStar Search 1990 : Male Champion
Star Awards 2000 : Best Actor
Star Awards 2004 : All-Time Favourite Artiste
Star Awards 2009 : Best Supporting Actor
Star Awards 2019: Special Achievement Award
Musical career
Associated actsLeader of Mediacorp

Career

Chew started his career in showbiz after winning Star Search in 1990, a bi-annual nationwide talent search. Since then, he has never failed to make it to the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in the Star Awards, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All-Time Favourite Artiste with Li Nanxing and Zoe Tay.

He first earned his acting nomination for his role as Hong San in the 1995 epic The Teochew Family, which he's still known to audiences in China. This was also evident when he bagged the Best Actor Award in Star Awards 2000 in Hainan Kopi Tales. His popularity has also spread across the causeway as he was voted the Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste in Malaysia. He made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu. During the late 1990s to early 2000s, he was best known for his role as Jacky Chang aka Ah Bee, a salesman with a penchant for grabbing 'lobangs' (good opportunities that cannot be missed) in the popular Channel 8 sitcom Don't Worry, Be Happy, which spanned for six seasons. Chew initially dropped out from the role of Ah Bee after the 3rd season due to fear of being typecast, and also because he wanted to focus more on drama and variety shows. He eventually reprised the role for the latter half of the 6th (and final) season for Don't Worry Be Happy, and appeared in a spinoff series Lobang King focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends.

Chew is known for his versatility and ability to portray different characters that leave a lasting impression. At the 25th anniversary special in 2007, his character Ah Bee was named as one of the most memorable TV roles and his role as the villain Li Kechun in The Reunion was voted the Top 10 most memorable villains. In 2009 he won the Best Supporting Actor award, despite the nominations being dominated by cast of the popular blockbuster series The Little Nyonya, for his portrayal of a promising young doctor driven to vice and insanity by unfortunate circumstances in The Golden Path.

Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting shows and large-scale events including overseas collaborations with Taiwan and China. He was nominated for the Best Info-Ed Host Award at the Star Awards 2010 for co-hosting Food Hometown.

Chew's contract with MediaCorp was set to expire in October 2010.[1] Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed.[1] However, reports surfaced in November 2010 that Chew's contract was renewed for a further two years, with particular emphasis on hosting and new artiste training duties.[2] He made his acting comeback with Channel U's Show Hand, followed by Channel 8 30th anniversary drama special Joys of Life.

Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business,[1] which would have been Chew's second foray into the eatery business.[1]

Personal life

Chew was educated from Holy Innocents' High School. He is married to Deon Tan and they have two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. He revealed during a celebrity talk show in early 2008 that he did not have a happy childhood, often being abused by his overly strict father (a compulsive gambler and alcoholic), who committed suicide when Chew was still in primary school. He began attending a Charismatic church, Renewal Centre from 2007 and was baptised in late November 2008 with his daughters.[3]

Illness

On 19 December 2008, Chew announced during a church event that he was suffering from Kennedy's disease, a muscular dystrophy illness that resulted in him limping while filming for his latest role as Wang Zhongkun in Love Blossoms II.[4][5] Chew said that he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2008, and that he alerted the local press as to his condition, but asked the press to not report it yet, as he was psychologically not ready for it. Chew originally planned on officially announcing his illness during the Star Awards 2008 ceremony, due to be held in March 2009. However, signs of his illness can be clearly seen already, and the news was hard to keep under wraps.[6] The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew.[1]

Since the illness was revealed, Chew became a member of the local disabled sports club, and has been taking swimming lessons to strengthen his body.[7]

Controversy

In September 2016, Chew appeared in episode 6 of I Want to Be a Star that had to be taken down from Toggle's website due to public outcry about the show's casual racism. Chew's character said onscreen that Indians and Africans are "all the same". Fellow actor Shane Pow appeared onscreen in blackface and wearing an Afro wig, after a casting director failed to find a man of African descent to play the role. Toggle, Mediacorp's online service, has apologised on behalf of the show.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
2017Lucky Boy (天公仔)Lin Chong
2011It's a Great, Great World (大世界)Ah Meng

Chinese/Dialect Series

YearTitleRoleNetworkNotes
2019Jalan Jalan
带你去走走
Zhang Guodong
张国栋
Mediacorp Channel 8
2018Fifty & Fabulous
五零高手
Ye Qihua
叶启华
Eat Already? 4
吃饱没?4
Old Zhou
老周
  • Cameo
118 Reunion
118 大团圆
Hong Daming
洪达明
2017118 II
118 II
Hong Daming
洪达明
2016Hero
大英雄
Wei Ge
伟哥
  • Cameo
I Want to Be a Star
小咖大作战
Zhong Datian
钟大天
My First School
快乐第一班
Xu Zhengbo
徐政博
Don't Worry, Be Healthy
家有一保
Wu Jiabao
吴家宝
2015118
118
Hong Daming 洪达明
2012The Day It Rained on Our Parade
那一年我们淋着雨
Joys of Life
花样人间
Zhao Dagou
赵大狗
Show Hand
注定
Lai Jianxin
赖建新
Rescue 995
995
Leo
2011Secrets For Sale
拍。卖
Professor Xie 谢光辉
YearTitleRole
2008Love Blossoms II
心花朵朵开II
Wang Zhongkun
王仲琨
2007The Golden Path
黄金路
Huang Kaida
黄凯达
My Dear Kins
亲本家人
Zhang Wanglai
张望来
2005My Lucky Charm
情来运转
Zhang Fengshou
张丰收
You Are The One
二分之一缘分
Raymond
史雷门
Oh Mother!
哎哟我的妈!
Yang Dafu
杨大富
2004Chronicles of Life
我爱我家真情实录之风雨同舟
Ray
2003Lobang King
我是Lobang King
Ah Bee
张英才
2002Springs of Life
春到人间
Cai Dapao
蔡大炮
Mr Kiasu IIKiasu
2001The Hotel
大酒店
Fang Baiming
方白明
The Reunion
顶天立地
Li Kechun
李克淳
Mr KiasuKiasu
2000Hainan Kopi Tales
琼园咖啡香
Long Ah Sing
龙亚星
The Voices Within
心灵物语
Song Lehui
宋乐晖
The Legendary Swordsman
笑傲江湖
Lin Pingzhi
林平之
1999Wok of Life
福满人间
You Ri'an/You Yongfu
尤日安/ 尤永富
1998Riding The Storms
陌生人
Cai Guinan
蔡贵南
The New Adventures of Wisely
卫斯理传奇
Wen Baoyu
温宝裕
1997Immortal Love
不老传说
Chen Xiaogui
陈小贵
For Better or Worse
精英份子
Lin Tianming
林天明
Crimes and Tribulations
狮城奇案录之凶兆吉日
Xie Baoxing
谢宝兴
1996Don't Worry, Be Happy
敢敢做个开心人
Ah Bee
张英才
The Unbeatables II
双天至尊II
Ding Zhaohui
丁兆辉
Santa, The Happy Ghost
我爱好兄弟
Shuai Mingjie
帅明杰
1995Embroidered Banner
花帜
Hou Yisheng
侯奕升
Ah Xue II
阿雪II
Lu Ah He
陆阿和
The Teochew Family
潮洲家族
Hong San
洪三
1994Romance in the 7th Month
七月幽情
Hong Dazhi
洪达智
The Valiant One
昆仑奴
Mo Ge
摩勒
Challenge of Truth
铁证柔情
Lin Haoming
林浩明
Young Justice Bao
侠义包公
Bao Zheng
包拯
1993Heaven's Will
天机风云
He Zhenhong
贺震宏
The Witty Advisor
金牌师爷
Mo Bairen
莫百忍
The Brave Ones
荡寇英雄
Yu Jun
余俊
Angel of Vengeance
暴雨狂花
Chen Jingui
陈金贵
Heavenly Beings
再战封神榜
Fire God
华光/火神
1992Crazy Chase
富贵也疯狂
Li Xiaofei
李小飞
Memories of June
六月的童话
Zhang Yidan
张一凡
Fiery Passion
烈焰焚情
Chen Jiaqi
陈家齐
1991"The Future Is Mine"
锦绣前程
Luo Dawei
罗大威
The Last Swordsman
最后一个大侠
Ying Wu
英武

Variety show

YearTitleRole
2011Living the Golden Age '11 (黄金年华之光辉岁月)Host
Community Chest Truehearts (公益献爱心)Host
2010Living the Golden Age '10 (黄金年华之光辉岁月)Host
2009Food Hometown 2 (美食寻根 2)Host
2008The Fairprice Show (平价与你迎旺年)Host
Let's Go Shopping (我们逛街去)Host
2007Never Too Old (新领屋)Host
My Beautiful Life (好想美一下)Host
True Files V (真实档案 V)Host
2006Fortune Festival at Giant'06 (爱上Giant过肥年'06)Host
Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪)Host
My Star Guide (Dubai) (我的导游是明星 (迪拜))Co-Host
Trivia Trove 2 (不说你不知 2)Host
Citispa Beauty Perfection (Citispa完美大挑战)Host
True Files IV (真实档案 IV)Host
Let's Party With Food 4 (食福满人间 4)Host
2005Trivia Trove (不说你不知)Host
Fortune Festival at Giant'05 (爱上Giant过肥年'05)Host
True Files III (真实档案 III)Host
Perfect 10 (十分十全十美)Host
National Day Parade 2005Co-Host
Where in Singapore (到底在哪里)Host
Let's Party With Food 3 (食福满人间 3)Host
Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪)Host
Renci Charity Show 2005 (仁心慈爱照万千)Host
2004Flavours of Australia (澳妙新滋味)Co-Host
NKF Charity Show 2004 (群星照亮千万心之星光再现人间情)Host
Spring and Slide (威力无比加油站)Host
2003Tiger Club Crawl (Tiger寻Fun作乐)Host
True Hearts'03 (公益献爱心)Host
2001Tonite With Chor Meng (夜猫行动)Host
Super Movie Fan Club (超级影迷俱乐部)Host
Lunar New Year Special 2001 (金蛇运转贺新年)Co-Host
All Stars Variety 2001 (全星展艺献温情)Host
2000Affairs of the Heart (心手相连)Host
1999Star Search (才华横溢出新秀)Host
1995City Beat (城人杂志)Co-host
Star Search (才华横溢出新秀)Host
Variety Tonight – Now You Know (1995 原来如此)Host
1994Chew on Eight (河畔飘香尝美食)Host
1993Star Search (才华横溢出新秀)Host

Compilation album

Year English title Mandarin title
2013MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 13新传媒群星金蛇献祥福
2014MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 14新传媒群星金马献万福
2015MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15新传媒群星金羊添吉祥
2018MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResults
1990N/AStar Search 1990N/AWon
19941st Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
19952nd Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorChallenge Of TruthNominated
2nd Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
19963rd Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorThe Teochew FamilyNominated
3rd Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
19974th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
19985th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorImmortal LoveNominated
5th Star Awards CeremonyBest Comedy PerformerDon't Worry Be Happy 4Nominated
5th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
19996th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorWok Of LifeNominated
6th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
20007th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorHainan Kopi TalesWon
7th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
20018th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
20029th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorThe ReunionNominated
9th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
200310th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorSprings Of LifeNominated
10th Star Awards CeremonyBest Comedy PerformerLobang KingNominated
10th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/AWon
200411th Star Awards CeremonyAll-Time Favourite ArtisteN/AWon
200915th Star Awards CeremonyBest Supporting ActorThe Golden PathWon
201016th Star Awards CeremonyBest Info-Ed Programme HostFood Hometown 2Nominated
201319th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorJoys Of LifeNominated
201521st Star Awards CeremonyStar Awards for Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia)N/ANominated
201925th Star Awards CeremonyBest Evergreen ArtisteN/ANominated
25th Star Awards CeremonySpecial Achievement AwardN/AWon

References

  1. 明年10月约满 周初明计划进军饮食业 [Artiste Contract Due to Expire in October of Next Year, Chew Plans Eatery Business Venture] (in Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (Singapore). 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  2. 周初明獲續約2年 或轉戰主持教學 [Chew Chor Meng's Contract Renewed For Two Years, Might Turn to Hosting and Training]. ChinaPress.com (in Chinese). 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  3. Tan, Dawn Weie (21 December 2008). "'I may need a wheelchair'--But actor Chew Chor Meng refuses to let muscular atrophy get him down". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  4. "Chew has muscular atrophy". Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  5. "Chew Chor Meng is OK!". Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  6. 患肌肉萎缩症 周初明受访: 坐轮椅也要 看女儿长大 [Suffering from muscular atrophy, Chew Chor Meng's Exclusive Interview: "I will watch my daughter grow up, even if I have to watch from a wheelchair"] (in Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (carried on omy.sg). 20 December 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  7. 成为残疾人士体育理事会会员 周初明每周4天游泳健身 [Becoming a member of a disabled sports organisation, Chew Chor Meng swims 4 times a week for fitness] (in Chinese). Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore). Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
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